“I have lost a friend… this coronavirus is not a joke. I didn’t have an idea what this was but I am realising it now.

“We need to understand here in Brazil that this is not just happening in other countries.”

Jesus said his side had been affected psychologically by the spread of the coronavirus, adding he hadn’t enjoyed the spectacle of seeing his players perform behind closed doors.

"I have never played without supporters,” he said.

“I hope this was the first and the last time. It's a distressing thing. It's bothering. That's the ultimate proof that there's no way of playing without them.”

Jesus has enjoyed incredible success in a short period of time since taking over at Flamengo in 2019.

His side won a Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores double last year, followed by the Supercopa do Brasil and Recopa Sudamericana.

Jesus was not the only figure calling for football in Brazil to be suspended. Ahead of their match with Sao Luiz on Sunday, Gremio players took to the pitch wearing facemasks in protest at being made to play as the virus spreads.

“This protest by the players makes implicit our support for the championship to be halted - life must take precedence," said Gremio’s director of football, Paulo Luz.

Manager Renato Portaluppi added: "The whole world has stopped - shouldn't Brazilian football stop as well? That's our message and I hope they listen. We hope that good sense will prevail."